“This doesn’t mean that Lady Eugenie is absolved of guilt.”
“No, but it is a start.” Mr. Moore studied him before asking, “Why are you sharing this information with me?”
“I told you; I want to help with this case.”
Mr. Moore shook his head. “I do not know what you are attempting to achieve with this charade, but I am a busy man. I do not have time for games.”
“I am playing no game.”
“Then why would you wish to let your brother’s murderer go free?” Mr. Moore asked.
Greydon knew the best course of action was to tell the truth and hope that was enough. If not, then he could tell Lady Enid that he had done all that he could do. “Lady Enid believes that Lady Eugenie is innocent, and I made a promise to her that I would investigate her involvement.”
“Why would you do something so foolish…” Mr. Moore’s words trailed off. “You care for her, don’t you?”
“As a friend, yes.”
“I do not mean as a friend,” Mr. Moore pressed. “You have feelings for Lady Enid because that is the only reason a man would act so irrationally.”
Greydon tried to ignore the barrister’s intense gaze as he tried to think of something that he could say that would appease Mr. Moore. He didn’t dare admit that he held Lady Enid in high regard, at least, not yet.
Mr. Moore’s lips quirked. “This is all starting to make sense.”
“What is?”
“You are trying to impress Lady Enid by investigating this case,” Mr. Moore pointed out. “But, as I said before, I do not have time for games.” He bowed. “Good day, my lord.”
Greydon could have let Mr. Moore go. He probably should have, especially since he wasn’t entirely wrong, but he found himself saying, “Then I shall investigate this case on my own.”
Mr. Moore turned back around to face him. “Why do you insist on making a nuisance of yourself?”
“I made a promise to Lady Enid and that means something to me.”
“If word got out about your involvement—”
Greydon spoke over him. “It won’t.”
With a shake of his head, Mr. Moore grimaced. “You don’t know that for certain and I can’t risk Lady Eugenie’s life over it.”
“Lady Eugenie is going to hang unless you let me help you,” Greydon said. “Sir David is already claiming victory and the verdict hasn’t even been handed down from the inquest.”
Mr. Moore’s face fell slightly before he corrected himself. “It has, and the case is moving to trial.”
“I know you have no reason to trust me but let me help you.”
“Lord Rushcliffe, your reputation precedes you, but I cannot in good conscience bring you in on this case,” Mr. Moore said. “I’m sorry.”
“Then you have signed Lady Eugenie’s death warrant.”
Mr. Moore grew visibly tense. “I resent that fact. The truth will come out and Lady Eugenie will be set free.”
“Sir David does not care a whit about Lady Eugenie or the facts about the case,” Greydon asserted. “He is only interested in furthering his career with this case. He dismissed the arsenic poisoning as unimportant, and I doubt it will even make it into the report.”
Mr. Moore ran a hand through his black hair. “If I did agree to this madness, you would answer to me, and me alone.”
“I am only seeking the truth, just as you are.”
The barrister shifted his gaze towards the darkened window. “All right,” he said in a resigned voice. “We can start by going to your brother’s apartment tomorrow. Perhaps another set of eyes would help.”
